Walkley After School Club

Walkley After School Club

Inspection report for early years provision

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Walkley After School Club

300753 Unique Reference Number 04 October 2006 Inspection date Sarah Gilpin Inspector

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Walkley After School Club

Walkley Primary School, Burnaby Crescent, Sheffield, S6 2TS Setting Address

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Walkley After School Club

0114 2853017 Telephone number Alt no from 30 4--07837 350318 (2:30-6:00) E-mail Walkley After School Club Registered person Childcare Type of inspection Out of School care Type of care

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Walkley After School Club

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Walkley After School Club has been registered since 1996. It operates from a classroom within Walkley Primary School, in Walkley, Sheffield. The children using the club attend the school. Places are available for children attending other schools but a collection service is not offered and parents have to make their own arrangements for transporting children to the club. There is an outdoor play space in the school grounds.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The club is registered to care for 26 children from three to eight years. There are currently 43 children on roll. The children attend for a variety of sessions and older children may attend. There is provision for children with disabilities and learning difficulties and for those children who speak English as an additional language. Opening times are from 15.15 to 17.45, Monday to Friday, during term time only.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Two full time members of staff work with the children. The person in charge has an appropriate qualification to National Vocational Qualification level 3 and the deputy leader is working

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 towards a recognised qualification. The club has established links with the Sheffield Out of School Network.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for within a designated area of the school that is clean and maintained to a satisfactory standard. Staff follow the club's health and hygiene procedures, and as a result the children's good health is promoted. For example, the hand washing routine is understood and followed by the children and staff as they wash their hands before preparing and eating their snack. There are clear procedures for dealing with accidents involving the children in the club. This includes a well stocked first aid box, staff who hold suitable qualifications and a recording system that is shared with parents. The staff administer medication to the children when necessary and a complete record is kept. A clear sickness policy is in place and information relating to notifiable diseases is displayed for parents. This ensures that children are protected and cross contamination is limited.

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Helping children to be healthy

The staff make sure that children are engaged in the planning and preparation of the snack for their friends. A simple rota helps ensure that all children are equally involved. Snack times are very sociable occasions and the children enjoy chatting to their friends while they eat fresh fruit, toast, pizza or biscuits. Details of the children's individual dietary needs and allergies are obtained from parents to ensure they are well protected from unsuitable foods.

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Helping children to be healthy

The organisation of the group means that children can rest and relax as they play board games or when being creative. They enjoy the benefits of fresh air and exercise each day during good weather, they play football and racket games on the school yard. However, during inclement weather the children have limited opportunities to play sports or group games.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy being in the safe and secure environment. Staff implement the club's safety procedures. For example, they check the indoor and outdoor areas and the equipment each day to ensure that they remain safe for the children to use. Children are closely supervised as they play because staff are actively involved in many activities. There are suitable policies, such as the lost and uncollected child policy, which meet requirements and ensure that staff can act in the children's best interests. Suitable fire fighting and detection equipment is in place and the routine fire evacuation practises ensure that children are protected and are beginning to have an awareness of how to deal with emergency situations. However, the temperature of the water in the bathroom sinks is inadequately regulated and poses a risk to children's health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The equipment and resources provided for the children are of good quality and meet the required safety standard. Activities are arranged by staff each day to ensure they are easily accessible to the children and additional resources are safely stored in the storage cupboard.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Staff ensure that items are maintained and checked regularly to make certain they remain safe for the children to use.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because staff understand their role in child protection. The detailed child protection policy is in line with that of the Local Safeguarding Children Board. Systems for monitoring and recording any concerns, such as existing injuries, are used by the staff, and as a result, staff are able to adequately protect the children in their care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy spending time in the club. They are provided with sufficient choice about what to play with and move confidently from one activity to another. Staff ensure the children are developing their independence through planned experiences, such as preparing the snack. Children use all areas available to them, for example, playing board games or dressing up for role play. They play well together and support one another as they try new activities, such as threading tiny beads or using 'magic paper' to write messages. They share and take turns at board games and cheer when their friends are successful.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoy warm, friendly and easy going relationships with the staff. There is a lively and comfortable atmosphere in the club and staff clearly enjoy joining the children's play. The children like to joke with the staff, telling them that they will tell the inspector the club is 'rubbish'. When asked the children report that they have lots of fun at the club and enjoy making 'things'. Staff take time to celebrate with children when they are proud of what they have made, and as a result children's self-esteem is growing. However, the limited space to display the children's finished art work and creations means they take models, pictures and necklaces home at the end of the session.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for by adults who are good at building warm relationships with them. Equipment and resources are organised by the staff to ensure that children can access them easily. Staff work closely with the children to set a good example and offer positive role models. For example, they join games and take their turn with the children. The children are encouraged by the staff to recognise the needs of their friends because they serve snack, asking others what they would like. The variety of resources available to the children are not gender stereotyped and reflect the diverse nature of society. There is suitable provision for children with disabilities and learning difficulties and those who speak English as an additional language because the staff operate an inclusive provision and support all children as they play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children's behaviour is good while at the club. Staff are effective in reinforcing positive behaviour and can easily distract children to a task or game. The children understand the rules of the club and these are displayed for their parents. They follow the reminders from staff, such as asking before going to the toilet and when accessing the storage cupboard.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Staff establish successful relationships with the parents. The club is well supported by a management committee, which is made up of parents. Daily verbal exchanges ensure that staff and parents are kept up to date with the children's changing needs. A suitable variety of relevant information is easily accessible to them because it is displayed on the notice board and the club's policy file is available for parents to read. However, the complaints procedure displayed does not contain accurate details relating to the regulator and there is no clear complaints record.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The club is suitably well organised to ensure that children enjoy their time there. There is a simple routine for each session, which means that children have time for free play, outdoor play and a relaxed snack time. Children are well supported because the required staff-to-child ratios are met at the club. They are cared for by staff who are knowledgeable and understand the importance of play because they attend regular training courses to ensure they are up to date with current play work practice.

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Organisation

There are clear systems in place for the recruitment and vetting of staff who work with the children. These include, Criminal Records Bureau vetting checks, a health declaration and references. However, the details of some of the new committee have not be notified to Ofsted, which is a breach of the regulations. All of the required documentation is in place to support the staff in the care of the children and staff understand the importance of retaining documents. The children's attendance is accurately recorded as they arrive and depart. The medication and accident recording is clear and routinely shared with the parents.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the club was required to nominate a contact person and there is now a designated contact. An action plan was required to set out how the qualification requirements were to be met. There is now a qualified manager, a deputy who is working towards a qualification and an additional staff member who is qualified to level 3. A recording system and a policy for administering medicines to the children has now been implemented to ensure that all administrations of medication are monitored and recorded appropriately. There was a requirement to ensure the complaints procedure was accessible and provided information relating to Ofsted. The club's complaint procedure is displayed for parents, however, the contact information is not up to date and a further recommendation has been made. Finally the club was asked to ensure that an up to date insurance certificate was displayed. Staff have met this

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Improvements since the last inspection

requirement and the certificate is displayed on the parent notice board.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • promote children's safety by regulating the temperature of the water • ensure that children have opportunities to enjoy physical play during inclement weather • implement a clear complaints record and ensure that the contact details for Ofsted are up to date • notify Ofsted of all changes in management committee.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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